Definition

Noun: 1. A person who is being considered for a position, award, or honor: A candidate is someone who is being evaluated or is in the running to receive something, such as a job, a scholarship, or a prize. 2. A person who is running for an elected public office: In politics, a candidate is an individual who seeks or is nominated for an election to a government position.

Usage and Examples

• As a person being considered:
  • She was the strongest candidate for the promotion.
  • The committee will interview three candidates for the research grant.
• As a person running for office:
  • The presidential candidate gave a speech in the town square.
  • All candidates must file their paperwork by the deadline.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a candidate for something": This phrase indicates that someone or something is likely to receive or undergo something, often something negative.
  • The old building is a prime candidate for demolition.
  • With that injury, he's a candidate for surgery.

Variants and Related Words

• Candidacy (noun): The state or fact of being a candidate, especially in an election.
  • She announced her candidacy for mayor.
• Candidature (noun): A synonym for , more commonly used in British English.
  • He withdrew his candidature for the position.

Synonyms

• Applicant: A person who formally applies for something, typically a job.
• Contender: A person or group competing with others to achieve something.
• Nominee: A person who is proposed or formally entered as a candidate for an office or award.
• Aspirant: A person who has ambitions to achieve something.

Idioms and Phrases

• Candidate for (something): Likely to receive or experience something (see "Advanced Usage").
• To run as a candidate: To be a candidate in an election.
  • He decided to run as a candidate in the local elections.

Noun

1. someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)
2. a politician who is running for public office